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DTSTAMP:20260424T114154Z
UID:1759917600@ist.ac.at
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DESCRIPTION:Speaker: Raj Lehal\nhosted by Sophia Hannes\nAbstract: Journey 
 from Cell to CellestiaIn my talk\, I will share how a research project\, o
 riginally designed to answer a fundamental scientific question\, ultimatel
 y gave rise to Cellestia. Beyond delving into the science\, I will discuss
  the challenges commonly encountered by academic founders—particularly y
 oung PhDs and postdocs—and practical strategies for overcoming them. Dra
 wing from my journey as both a scientist and entrepreneur\, I will reflect
  on the lessons learned and the importance of pursuing research with a cle
 ar purpose\, especially within a start-up context. Finally\, I will highli
 ght the entrepreneurial mindset: the perseverance\, resilience\, and self-
 belief required to keep going—even when no one else shares your vision.
  Raj Lehal is an accomplished biotech entrepreneur and executive based in
  Zurich\, Switzerland. He holds a PhD from EPFL\, where his research led t
 o the founding of Cellestia Biotech AG. As co-founder and CEO/CSO of Celle
 stia\, he transformed the company from a single-asset\, research-stage sta
 rtup into a clinical-stage enterprise\, raising over USD 75 million in ven
 ture capital and securing partnerships with leading international investor
 s. Most recently\, he spun out Anciata Therapeutics\, securing USD 34.5 mi
 llion in financing and establishing a collaboration with Eli Lilly. Dr. Le
 hal also co-founded Viventis Microscopy\, which was acquired in a multimil
 lion-dollar deal by Leica Microsystems in 2024.With over a decade of exper
 ience in the life sciences\, Dr. Lehal has led scientific\, clinical\, and
  business development efforts across oncology and autoimmune indications a
 nd is listed as an inventor on more than ten patents. In addition to his e
 xecutive roles\, he serves as a strategic advisor to multiple biotech star
 tups and is actively engaged in mentoring young entrepreneurs in Europe an
 d Canada. He also serves as a selection committee member at the University
  of Toronto for the Lifetime Achievement Award\, Impact Award\, and Emergi
 ng Leader Award.
LOCATION:Sunstone Building\, ISTA
ORGANIZER:
SUMMARY:Raj Lehal: xista Talk | Journey from Cell to Cellestia
URL:https://talks-calendar.ista.ac.at/events/5961
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